Main Entry: tell
Pronunciation: tel
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): told /tld/; tell·ing1: 1COUNT 1a, enumerate2 a: to describe in detail : NARRATE <tell a story> b: to give an account <an article telling of her experience> c: 1SAY 1a, utter <tell a lie>3 a: to make known : REVEAL <tell a secret> b: to express in words <can't tell you how pleased we are>4: to give information to : INFORM <tell me as soon as the package gets here>5: 1ORDER 2a, direct <told us to wait>6: to find out by observing <can tell the child is honest>7: to act as a tattletale <tell on a cheater>8: to have a noticeable effect <the pressure began to tell on them>9: to be evidence of : INDICATE <smiles telling of success>synonym see REVEAL